Stone-skipping with Gregory Woods

Gregory Woods is a very intriguing poet. 

I was not only intrigued by his refreshingly blunt sense of humour, but also by the topics he addresses. The poems he read at Cultural Exchanges responded to war, homosexuality, and parenthood. 

What I liked about the poems he read was the range of people featured. While many concerned the subject of oppression, the poems could be about or in the voice of anyone: a jury-member, a son, a teacher - even a god!

Towards the end of his talk he acknowledged many people might not like his work. Even he didn't like some of his work! But on the other hand, many people buying his books might love a poem of his that he dislikes. 

 

This was very inspiring, as it taught me you shouldn't be afraid of people hating your work. In fact, you should be glad they feel anything at all for it.

Greg noted, "Sometimes the best poems are the ones we hate!" 

Inducing emotions in a reader is like stone-skipping. It takes skill and feels great when you've done it.

If you're interested in Gregory Woods' poems, his collections An Ordinary Dog is a great start.
Or check out his website: www.gregorywoods.co.uk/ 

 

G.E. Knight

"Come hungry Muses ..."

Professor, poet and critic Gregory Woods delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking poetry reading at Wednesday's Cultural Exchanges event.
 
Woods began the event by reading poems from several of his collections of poems, including An Ordinary Dog.
 
He also talked about the range of people who have prompted and inspired his poems, briefly referring to Homintern, his major work of cultural history and criticism, which is about the internationalism of gay culture in the twentieth century.
 
As a creative writing student my first reaction when he said "I use traditional metres and rhymes... because I think they're beautiful" was a stifled groan - but when Woods stated during the Q and A that he often treats form as "a wind-up toy, to see where it goes " I found myself beginning to understand how poets balance the craft and enjoyment of writing.
 
Woods also admitted some nervousness in reading the poem 'Mothers of Sons,' as he worried it would offend mothers even though many mothers have told him they love it.
 
He explained that throughout his career he has learned the valuable lesson of your most beloved and well received poems may not be one you particularly like.
 
The diversity of poetry forms and themes within the poems and the voices drew well-deserved applause as the reading drew to an end. However when later asked whether he would have preferred applause after every single poem, Woods responded, “I’m grateful people don’t throw things!”
 

E. Towers

Apricot kisses, mimosa and well-dressed queer men - a reading by Gregory Woods

“I’ve always thought of the muses as this gang of lesbian avengers.” When Gregory Woods said this at the beginning of his reading, a roar of laughter rumbled through the audience.

Poet and literary critic Professor Woods talked about the importance of the beauty and enjoyment of creation while writing. He celebrated the frivolity of writing something that amuses you. The ironic wit with which he approaches writing and the charming personality that shines through his work entertained all of us who attended his reading of selected poems at De Montfort University’s Cultural Exchanges Week

I appreciated his words about the craft of writing and the ideas and inspirations behind certain poems. I also took reassurance from the way he looks at feedback: with respect but a fair amount of distance. For me as a first-year creative writing student these aspects of his reading were very helpful. .

As an influential voice in LGBT literature, Woods’ poems mainly revolve around the theme of homosexuality and gay relationships. However, listening to him deliver them in an informal way that reached out to the instinctive, human side of the audience members, I realised that his words touch everyone.

Regina Toth